Aircraft Incident/Accident Report

Tribune, Kansas 67879Friday, June 13, 2003 9:40 MDT

The airplane was substantially damaged following an in-flight fire around the cowling covering the engine turbocharger area, and there was also fire damage to the firewall. The pilot performed an emergency landing at an alternate destination airport due to an uncommanded in-flight landing gear extension. There was no in-flight evidence of smoke or fire until a postflight inspection of the airplane which revealed that the cowling around the engine's turbocharger was consumed by fire. Examination of the airplane revealed that the turbocharger exhaust tailpipe clamp had a multi-segment steel self locking nut. A single piece steel self locking nut is required for the application.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The in-flight separation of the turbocharger exhaust band clamp resulting in an in-flight fire and uncommanded landing gear extension. Also causal was the improper maintenance by unknown personnel.